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Links between trafficking in illicit goods and organized crime focus of INTERPOL meeting

LYON, France – Some 40 law enforcement and private sector representatives from 13 countries have met at INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters to discuss links between illicit trade and organized crime.

In this respect, INTERPOL’s Organized Crime Research Assessment Meeting (10 January) in particular served as a platform for INTERPOL to produce a casebook illustrating the links between the manufacture and distribution of illicit goods and transnational organized crime groups, as well as any potential links to terrorism. The casebook will rely on some 25 to 30 case studies where links to organized crime are proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“We have a responsibility in ensuring that policy makers in government and chief police officers know the scale of transnational organized crime that takes place on a national, regional and worldwide basis to assist them in informed decision making. This applies equally to private sector entities that are threatened by organized crime ‒ especially concerning all aspects of trafficking in illicit goods,” said INTERPOL Executive Director of Police Services Jean-Michel Louboutin.

The audience heard that INTERPOL’s mission is to facilitate cross-border police cooperation, and supporting and assisting all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

“At the very centre of this mission is the need to work with all stakeholders to combat transnational organized crime in all its forms as INTERPOL is uniquely able to bridge the gap between all stakeholders,” added Mr Louboutin.

Its activities in this respect revolve around three areas: operations, training and development of databases to help analyse trends and better target INTERPOL’s on-the-ground interventions in partnership with police, customs, regulatory bodies and the private sector.